[C2] frame shudder
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
frame shudder
Does C2 frame design lend itself to front end shudder under certain rough road surface conditions?
The shocks on my car are the Gas-a-Just units. The shocks appear to be in good working order but don’t entirely dampen out minor road surface imperfections without front end frame shudder and/or vibration.
Might this be inherent in C2 frame design?
John
The shocks on my car are the Gas-a-Just units. The shocks appear to be in good working order but don’t entirely dampen out minor road surface imperfections without front end frame shudder and/or vibration.
Might this be inherent in C2 frame design?
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 1,131
From: NEW YORK
Does C2 frame design lend itself to front end shudder under certain rough road surface conditions?
The shocks on my car are the Gas-a-Just units. The shocks appear to be in good working order but don’t entirely dampen out minor road surface imperfections without front end frame shudder and/or vibration.
Might this be inherent in C2 frame design?
John
The shocks on my car are the Gas-a-Just units. The shocks appear to be in good working order but don’t entirely dampen out minor road surface imperfections without front end frame shudder and/or vibration.
Might this be inherent in C2 frame design?
John
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 3,690
From: Central Arkansas
A convertible can have some degree of cowl shake or shudder - not unusual for a lot of convertibles especially 40 - 50 years ago. It’s probably a symptom of some degree of frame flexing on rough roads and bumps that is magnified by the mounts. But on a smooth road with suspension, tires, shocks, alignment and wheel balance up to snuff, you shouldn’t be feeling it. You may need to have your caster setting checked.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern MA
I would never attribute a shudder to the frame...unless it's broken. Rather, something attached to the frame would be my focus.
The C2 frame was specifically designed to enjoy greater rigidity than the C1 so I don't think your frame is the issue. Old body mounts, perhaps.
The C2 frame was specifically designed to enjoy greater rigidity than the C1 so I don't think your frame is the issue. Old body mounts, perhaps.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
The car is a vert,yes. All front end rubber bushings, ball joints, shocks, etc., have been replaced.
There’s about 30K miles on the components at this point. .. The frame is in good overall condition. No rust issues. Body mounts haven’t been replaced.
Wondering if anyone else might have this going on with their car.
Thanks guys.
John
There’s about 30K miles on the components at this point. .. The frame is in good overall condition. No rust issues. Body mounts haven’t been replaced.
Wondering if anyone else might have this going on with their car.
Thanks guys.
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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The car is a vert,yes. All front end rubber bushings, ball joints, shocks, etc., have been replaced.
There’s about 30K miles on the components at this point. .. The frame is in good overall condition. No rust issues. Body mounts haven’t been replaced.
Wondering if anyone else might have this going on with their car.
Thanks guys.
John
There’s about 30K miles on the components at this point. .. The frame is in good overall condition. No rust issues. Body mounts haven’t been replaced.
Wondering if anyone else might have this going on with their car.
Thanks guys.
John
Have you gone completely through your front end? Ball joints? Idler? Tie rod ends? Do that first.
As Dan said our beloved mid-century Convertibles can be floppy. It's the price paid for the sun burn.
Dan
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 619
From: northern CA
Nothing untoward or unusual in handling, the overall ride is good. The shudder or vibration feels like it's coming through the foot well area and slightly through the steering wheel. This happens going over a road defect, say a small pot hole or irregular road surface.
Frame checking for any sign of a problem, all looks fine. Same with all suspension components. Perhaps that's the way it is on some verts, at least on mine. I can certainly live with it.
John
Frame checking for any sign of a problem, all looks fine. Same with all suspension components. Perhaps that's the way it is on some verts, at least on mine. I can certainly live with it.
John
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John, you're going to have some lateral movement of the firewall as the front wheels transmit impacts. The steering column will telegraph that movement. Certainly much of this is exacerbated by worn suspension bushings, bad shocks, weak springs, bad body mounts and in extreme cases a rotted birdcage.
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Drive someone else's or let one of us drive yours.
Dan
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Drive someone else's or let one of us drive yours.
Dan